Movie Review

The kid with a bike (2011)

The French film was subtitled in English as “The Kid with a bike”. The story is about a 12-year-old boy (Cycil) who is abandoned by his father to foster home. The boy is hell-bent on tracing his father and his bike that went with this father. While forcing his way into his old apartment, Cycil happens to bump into a stranger – the local hair dresser (Samantha). Samantha buys Cycil’s bike back from a person to whom Cycil’s father had sold it before he left the area. Samantha then takes Cycil into her home in weekends and a bond of affection develops between them. They trace Cycil’s dad who categorically says he doesn’t Cycil back. In the meanwhile, Cycil falls into bad company with neighbourhood anti-law elements & commits a theft. Cycil realises his mistake, turns calm and the movie ends with all going well.

The cycle (bike) is the only possession Cycil has, it gives him comfort and he holds on to it with his life. It comes throughout the movie, hence the title for the movie.

The movie has few characters but all of them have done their part naturally and convincingly, you are literally transported to the small town where Cycil lives. No vulgarity or exaggerations. A must see movie of 2011.

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3 Comments

  • Ganesh

    Dear Mr. Venkatarangan!

    I am regular reader of your blog since couple of months! started seeing and reading couple of movies and books you had read..they are really good! thanks for sharing the information.

    My thoughts are not little clear or completely not clear on this movie the kid with a bike. I didnt understand what they are trying to say from movie. The story line not sure what it is. The father left the kid and the kid meets his father through the hair dresser and he dont want to live with his kid and he lives the hair dresser and he gets connection with bad guy and commits crime and he apologizes and later get hurt by the businessman son, after that I was expecting the dinner :) suddenly music came and names started coming. How come someone said best movie I dont know..what is there for must watch. However, enjoyed the europe road scenes, good camera work as the kid moves around with the bike.

    Venkat sir, this is completely my thoughts after seeing the movie..just curious of asking and not with the feeling of questioning :) Have downloaded The HELP and Just DO IT for next week !

    Your blog is fantastic! Awesome! plently of information. Cheers!

    • venkatarangan

      Ganesh, thanks for the wishes and compliments.

      The Movie is great bcoz for its angle of telling a story from a young boy’s point of view. Life is simple for them and do is the movie. First it was all about the search for his father, then getting recognized by someone even though they are bad and so on. The movie ends with a positive note that the boy has moved on and learns to appreciate the affection he is getting from the hair dresser.